---
title: "Direct Laser Microfusion (DLM)"
url: https://www.voxelmatters.com/additive-manufacturing/am-technologies/what-is-direct-laser-microfusion/
date: 2017-12-15
modified: 2017-12-15
lang: en
author: "Federico Sher"
description: "What is Direct Laser Microfusion? OsseoMatrix developed Direct Laser Microfusion as .a revolutionary 3D printing process for ceramics which leverages powder bed fusion to directly process ceramic powders without requiring..."
word_count: 375
---

# Direct Laser Microfusion (DLM)

# What is Direct Laser Microfusion?

OsseoMatrix developed Direct Laser Microfusion as .a revolutionary 3D printing process for ceramics which leverages powder bed fusion to directly process ceramic powders without requiring separate firing in the post process phase. OsseoMatrix is the only company able to process ceramics commercially by selective laser melting. This proprietary technology enables the direct shaping of biological ceramics to give them new forms and functions.

| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| ---------- | ------------- |
| - No separate firing required and no part shrinkage | - Currently limited to bone replacement ceramic materials (HA, TCP) |
| - Uses existing SLM based systems | - Process is extremely complex due to the properties of advanced ceramics |
| - Virtually unlimited part geometries | - Small company, difficult to scale up business |

## How does Direct Laser Microfusion work?

This unique process enables the “fusion” of the ceramic particles that will be used to create the implant on a bed of ceramic powder, grain after grain and layer after layer. At the end of the manufacturing cycle, the implant is lying amongst the powder that was not agglomerated and that just needs to be eliminated through micro vacuuming.

Direct Laser Microfusion enables manufacturing of extremely complex architectural elements without machining, molding and treatment in a high-temperature oven. Direct Laser Microfusion of ceramics is the only currently available one that enables compliance with the dimensions of the implants throughout each step of designing and manufacturing. The result is the perfect fitting of the manufactured anatomical parts.

The implants have an external architecture that is complex enough to perfectly fit the patient’s anatomy, and an internal architecture featuring a network of porous channels programmed to guide cellular growth inside the material.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYYgwawsF6o

## Available DLM 3D printers:

OseeoMatrix uses currently available SLM systems such as those provided by Concept Laser, EOS and SLM Solutions

| Model |  NA |
| ----- | ---- |
| Manufacturer |  NA |
| Price (approx.) |  NA |
| Technology |  NA |
| Materials |  Technical ceramics for bone replacement: TCP, HA |
| Effective Build Volume |  NA |
| Layer Thickness |  100 μm |

You can find more information about the technology [here](http://www.osseomatrix.com/technology/?lang=en).

### Further reading on OsseoMatrix and Direct Laser Microfusion

• [OsseoMatrix Introduces First Powder Bed Fusion Process to 3D Print Pure Ceramic CMF Implants](https://www.voxelmatters.com//osseomatrix-introduces-first-powder-bed-fusion-process-3d-print-pure-ceramic-cmf-implants/)

• [Ceramics, Breaking Through the Next 3D Printing Material Frontier / Part 1](https://www.voxelmatters.com//ceramics-am-material-frontier-part-1/)